HOW TO MAKE THE GRADE ON THESE IMPORTANT TESTS

ACT

• The ACT is America’s most widely accepted college entrance exam. It assesses high school students’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.
• The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science.
• The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.
• For more information visit www.actstudent.org
• Test Dates listed on the website are in the U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada.

SAT

• The SAT Reasoning Test™ is a three-hour-and-45-minute test that measures critical reading, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills that students have developed over time and that they need to be successful in college. The new SAT is better aligned with current curriculum and institutional practices in high school and college. By including a third measure of skills, writing, the SAT reinforces the importance of writing throughout a student’s education and will help colleges make better admissions and placement decisions. 
• The SAT Subject Tests™ (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are a battery of one-hour, mostly multiple-choice tests that measure how much students know about a particular academic subject and how well they can apply that knowledge.
• For more information visit www.collegeboard.com

PSAT~The Preliminary SAT

• The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
• PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It’s a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
• The PSAT/NMSQT measures:
• critical reading skills
• math problem-solving skills
• writing skills
• You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn’t require you to recall specific facts from your classes.
• The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:
• to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
• to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
• to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
• to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
• to receive information from colleges when you check “yes” to Student Search Service.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Below you will find links to helpful sites to guide you to the career that best suits you and your goals.  As always, please come see us in the Guidance Department for further assistance.

• The Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/
• Career Direction Program www.careertrain.com (school password-CD3540503)
• Job Corps www.jobcorp.dol.gov/
• Alabama Army National Guard www.1800goguard.com
• www.mapping-your-future.org
• www.todaysmilitary.com
• www.myfuture.com
• www.truecareers.com
• Alabama Tech Prep www.altechprep.org

Additional career information may also be found in the school library.